Windows XP gets a stay of execution

It's funny how things work out sometimes, isn't it? Just a few days ago, we reported on the fact that Microsoft is offering clandestine Vista-to-XP "downgrades" to select PC OEMs and wondered aloud whether "we could still be seeing XP machines for some time to come," despite the company's self-imposed deadline of January 2008 for XP sales. Hate to say we told you so: Microsoft has announced that it will extend XP's lifespan by five months, selling copies of the OS to both vendors and consumers until June 2008. The reason given? Apparently "there are some customers who need a little more time to make the switch." Microsoft had better hope that the forthcoming Service Pack for Vista--due in the first quarter of next year--gets customers excited about the latest from Redmond. Otherwise, we could all be using XP for a few more years to come.

For more on the announcement:
- see this InformationWeek article